Challenge Street X-Pipe install with Akra Slip-On at Benchmade Proper in Elkridge, MD

[Azurite90M]

Challenge Street X-Pipe install at Benchmade Proper in Elkridge, MD. It is about an hour away and well worth the drive. Joe and Brian took their time installing my x-pipe. The attention to detail they displayed provided much needed comfort. It took about two hours for the complete install. Joe and Brian were down to earth peeps. We talked about cars the entire time. I will definitely be bringing my other cars here for additional fabrication work.

The Akrapovic Slip-On + Challenge Street x-pipe sounds much more aggressive than the Slip-On/OEM setup. I noticed minimal to no drone below 3k rpm. However, cold start is louder than the already loud Akra with OEM mid-pipe. Neighbors not going to be very happy.

Overall: More aggressive than Slip-On alone and not obnoxiously loud.


Benchmade Proper
6350 J S Hanover Rd
Elkridge, MD 21076
(410) 540-9990
www.benchmadeproper.com

Complete install pics. Video to come soon…

Opened Challenge Street X-Pipe







Before with OEM mid-pipe & Akra Slip-On



OEM removed - front



OEM removed – rear



OEM & Challenge



Cutting the OEM cat off.


Prepping and sanding down the OEM cat.





OEM cat ready to be installed.



Reinstalling OEM cat.





Perfecting the measurements.



Preliminary weld.





Welding the OEM cat to the Challenge x-pipe.













Fav pic…The M mid-pipe grave. From left: M5, M3 (mine) and M6.



Rear view.



Weld complete.









Finally…some installed pics!


















Video coming soon…

[Raja Ventureshield]

i don't like it a bit.





























That's cuz i am jealous. Looks awesome Marco.

[bmwtech13]

Damn that is legit! I bet that thing sounds ridiculous now...video of the new sound? That and I can't wait to hear it in person, maybe at Raja's next get to together

[blackbeast535]

Post the video please. I'm glad you had the same experience that I had. Brian and Joe treat you car like it's their own. Did you notice any change in throttle responsiveness?

[Azurite90M]

Originally Posted by Raja Ventureshield

i don't like it a bit.
That's cuz i am jealous. Looks awesome Marco.

Thanks Raja...but this is not Marco.

Originally Posted by bmwtech13

Damn that is legit! I bet that thing sounds ridiculous now...video of the new sound? That and I can't wait to hear it in person, maybe at Raja's next get to together

Thanks David. Did not get a chance to do the vid today but definitely soon. Are you coming down to VIR? Got my helmet and ready to track!!!

Originally Posted by blackbeast535

Post the video please. I'm glad you had the same experience that I had. Brian and Joe treat you car like it's their own. Did you notice any change in throttle responsiveness?

Joe recorded with a GoPro but that clip did not sound right so I will have to record another clip. Throttle response is more direct and instantaneous. You notice a bit more torque down low and below 2k there are some droning. Power delivery is coarser than stock and not as smooth as before. Maybe because the second cat is gone or needs some broken in?

[Pat@sonictuning]

Benchmade does such outstanding work.

[Raja Ventureshield]

OOPS sorry called you Marco by mistake. :-)

[jagman]

Great documentation! I recently got an 08 E92 M3 that came with the Akra slip-on. I've contemplated the Akra midpipe but the Akrapovic midpipe would have smog implications in CA. The Challenge Street X-Pipe was recommended since the primary cat stays in place. I see from you that requires welding. I was hoping to do the install myself... that might not be possible. How is the drone now that you have had it a while? Also, have you considered the ESS tune with the cold start mod for that drone?

Thoughts from anybody for that matter?

[azzuro]

Originally Posted by Raja Ventureshield

OOPS sorry called you Marco by mistake. :-)

I wish that was my exhaust.

[WarrantyTracker]

Sorry for the total newb question, but that's going to pass emissions b/c it has the primary cats?

[GTM_Challenge]

Originally Posted by jagman

Great documentation! I recently got an 08 E92 M3 that came with the Akra slip-on. I've contemplated the Akra midpipe but the Akrapovic midpipe would have smog implications in CA. The Challenge Street X-Pipe was recommended since the primary cat stays in place. I see from you that requires welding. I was hoping to do the install myself... that might not be possible. How is the drone now that you have had it a while? Also, have you considered the ESS tune with the cold start mod for that drone?

Thoughts from anybody for that matter?

It is not required to be welded at all actually even though some may choose to do so. Stainless clamps are provided with the street x pipe so that it can be installed by anyone and also removed later on if going back to stock.

[GTM_Challenge]

Originally Posted by JBasham

Sorry for the total newb question, but that's going to pass emissions b/c it has the primary cats?

Correct, the street model should pass any OBD2 emissions tests. I cannot say about any sniffer style test as they vary from state to state that still do it this way.

[Azurite90M]

Originally Posted by jagman

Great documentation! I recently got an 08 E92 M3 that came with the Akra slip-on. I've contemplated the Akra midpipe but the Akrapovic midpipe would have smog implications in CA. The Challenge Street X-Pipe was recommended since the primary cat stays in place. I see from you that requires welding. I was hoping to do the install myself... that might not be possible. How is the drone now that you have had it a while? Also, have you considered the ESS tune with the cold start mod for that drone?

Thoughts from anybody for that matter?

As GTM indicated, you do not need to weld and may use the clamps but you will need to cut the rear extension of your OEM primary cats to install the x-pipe or it will not fit. Welding definitely is the cleaner and (to me) aesthetically the better solution.

The drone was noticeable in the beginning. After 4k miles, the drone is still noticeable (but very seldom) at 2 -3k rpm and cold start. I have grown used to it. The Akra Slip/Challenge Street x-pipe combo is definitely one of the quieter setups out there.

I have put some thought into the ESS tune. Maybe sometime in the near future!

[THE TECH]

Nice setup!

[Azurite90M]

Brian and Joe closed down Benchmade a few months ago but Brian has opened his own shop if you need exhaust work done.

Zury Fabrications
7525 Connelley Drive Unit S
Hanover, MD.
(410) 766-1470

[mdosu]

those are some pretty clean welds.

[Blade929]

This is good news. They did a great job on my secondary cat removal.

[atyps]

Originally Posted by Azurite90M

As GTM indicated, you do not need to weld and may use the clamps but you will need to cut the rear extension of your OEM primary cats to install the x-pipe or it will not fit. Welding definitely is the cleaner and (to me) aesthetically the better solution.

The drone was noticeable in the beginning. After 4k miles, the drone is still noticeable (but very seldom) at 2 -3k rpm and cold start. I have grown used to it. The Akra Slip/Challenge Street x-pipe combo is definitely one of the quieter setups out there.

I have put some thought into the ESS tune. Maybe sometime in the near future!

did you ever upload a video?

[mkPOTO]

congrats on the setup, i foresee you wanting to replace the cats lol